Mulemwa Moongwa of Zambia Earns Global Recognition for Driving Africa’s MICE Growth

Published on December 10, 2025

Mulemwa Moongwa, a trailblazer in Africa’s meetings and events sector, has earned global recognition by being named one of the top twenty finalists on the prestigious Meetings Industry Trendsetters list for 2025. This recognition, published by the US-based Meetings Today Magazine, marks a landmark achievement for Africa’s tourism and business events sector. Moongwa’s exceptional work in shaping the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry has made her a powerful advocate for professionalization and capacity building across the African continent.

For the first time in over three decades, an African-based professional has been included on the influential global list, a remarkable milestone for the continent’s MICE industry. Moongwa’s tireless dedication to developing the industry, driving collaboration, and fostering talent has propelled her to the forefront of global discussions on event management, tourism, and professional development.

A Journey of Vision and Advocacy

Moongwa’s journey into the world of events and tourism began serendipitously while studying law in Lincoln, Nebraska. Working part-time for a party planning business, she quickly found her passion in the business events sector, leading her to change careers and start her own events business at just 23 years old upon returning to Zambia. Her early work in business-to-government functions, high-level diplomatic events, and corporate affairs set the foundation for what would become a prominent career in Africa’s MICE industry.

Despite working on high-profile projects, Moongwa recognized the lack of formal recognition and qualifications in Africa’s meetings sector. Determined to bridge this gap, she traveled to over 15 countries in six years, seeking global best practices and professional credentials to improve the region’s standards. This journey led her to obtain key certifications, including attending a residential program for Certificate in Meetings Management at Indiana University and joining Meetings Professional International (MPI).

In 2013, a pivotal moment came when Zambia co-hosted the United Nations Tourism General Assembly in Livingstone, highlighting the need for a Certified Meetings Professional (CMP) in the local team. This revelation spurred Moongwa to advocate for better certification programs and training, making her one of the first to champion the cause for structured professional development in the African MICE sector.

Empowering Africa’s MICE Sector

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Moongwa took the initiative to amplify Africa’s voice within the global meetings industry. Alongside Kenyan collaborator Kezy Mukiri, she co-hosted a virtual forum to champion Africa’s MICE sector. Their collaboration led to the founding of the Africa MICE Summit, an event focused on sustainability, technology, and human capital development in the industry. Moongwa’s leadership in promoting people development as a core pillar of the MICE sector highlights her long-standing commitment to nurturing the next generation of professionals.

In addition to her work on the Africa MICE Summit, Moongwa has been instrumental in organizing educational programs for young professionals. At Meetings Africa, Moongwa dedicates an entire day to the Future Leaders Forum, where she educates and empowers the next wave of talent in the African MICE industry. This emphasis on skill development and capacity building is a key part of her mission to raise the profile of African professionals globally.

Tourism and Education Leadership

Moongwa’s leadership extends beyond the MICE industry, as evidenced by her appointment as Board Chairperson for the Zambia Institute for Tourism & Hospitality Studies (ZITHS) in 2022. Under her guidance, ZITHS became the first African institution to partner with the International Conventions and Congresses Association (ICCA), elevating Zambia’s standing in the global MICE education space.

Moongwa’s work has also focused on addressing the skills gap in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Her collaborative efforts with industry leaders, policymakers, and educators resulted in Zambia’s first Travel, Hospitality, and Tourism Education Summit, which brought together over 300 educators and 50 industry players to discuss how to enhance skills and knowledge in tourism education.

The recent integration of travel and tourism studies into Zambia’s formal school curriculum from Grade One through Form Six has further reinforced her vision of creating a sustainable and skilled tourism workforce in Zambia. This integration, achieved without a dedicated budget, underscores the government’s focus on tourism as a key driver of national development.

A Vision for Africa’s Future

Moongwa’s advocacy for Africa’s tourism and MICE sectors continues to inspire professionals across the continent. Her strategic focus on sustainable tourism, capacity building, and international cooperation has made her a leading voice in Africa’s push to compete in the global tourism market.

Through her leadership, Moongwa has demonstrated that strategic vision and collaboration are key to unlocking the full potential of Africa’s tourism industry. As she continues to serve as a champion for Africa at MPI and works with partners like the IMEX-MPI Future Leaders Forum, her legacy is helping to shape the future of African tourism.

Conclusion

Mulemwa Moongwa’s recognition as one of the Meetings Industry Trendsetters for 2025 is a well-deserved acknowledgment of her contributions to Africa’s tourism and MICE industries. Through her relentless efforts to professionalize the sector, promote sustainability, and foster talent development, Moongwa has helped position Africa’s MICE industry on the global stage. Her leadership serves as a powerful example for the next generation of tourism professionals, showing that with vision, collaboration, and determination, Africa’s tourism sector can thrive on the world’s stage.